ANIMAL lovers and campaigners against the wild boar cull have been ‘horrified’ this week, as a boar’s head was found nailed to a tree near Blakeney.

The grisly find is being blamed on poachers, who, some claim, are invading the forest in large numbers, and are shooting deer and foxes, as well as wild boar.

The gruesome photographs of the head, along with those of a shot deer and a fox, were posted online by the group known as the Forest Wild Boar Hunt Saboteurs, who plan to monitor illegal activity in the woods by using remote cameras.

In a statement released to the Review, the group said: “Poaching in the Forest has reached epidemic proportions.

“This has come to a head with poachers nailing a boars head to a tree near Blakeney Hill reservoir.

“The head was put on a popular family trail, where people walk dogs, and take their children for walks in the woods.”

The group was also scathing about the time that the authorities took to remove the offending decapitated head from where it had been nailed.

They wrote: “Twenty four hours after it was reported to the police and Forestry Commission it was still there.

“We have reported the lack of response to both the police and crime commissioner, and Mark Harper.

“It would seem the police and Forestry Commission will only take action when someone’s pet or child is shot.

“As a stop gap, we have installed trail cameras on spots we know to be popular with poachers.

“If no one else will act, we will.”

Resident, and dog walker, Jane Bardens was ‘totally horrified’ to see the head attached to the tree, and has called for better policing of the Forest.

She told the Review: “My neighbour told me that some walkers had seen the head nailed up, near to the reservoir.

“I saw it from a distance, but I did not go close because it made me feel ill. This is an awful thing to do, and I really wish that the Forestry or the council can sort out wardens. At least their presence would send a signal to the poachers, or whoever did this, that they face prosecution, which would hopefully lead to heavy fines, or imprisonment.”

Police have said that they will investigate, and will prosecute anyone found poaching. They have also said that the culprits could well be visiting the Forest from outside the area, and that they will be liasing with neighbouring forces to unmask those responsiible.

The photographs and reports of the incident were widely covered by the national and international press and television, while the internet carried many thousands of comments about the incident. The vast majority expressed contempt for the perpetrators, and disgust at their actions.